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Apple Case


Case Analysis Template


Reading: Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple


Who: Board of Directors along with top management


Immediate Issue/Problem Being Faced: The replacement of the CEO, Steve Jobs who recently passed away. The need to find another CEO who is highly effective and is able to keep the company innovative and keep past, present and future customers interested in Apple and it's products.


Basic Issues: To find someone as charasmatic and enveloped in the company as Steve Jobs was - to find someone as intense about their products and someone to share the excitement and enthusiasm that he did with Apple.


Urgency/Importance: iii to iv


Decision Criteria: Is there someone out there who has the characteristics that Apple requires of a CEO? The very aspect of the secrecy involved when developing and launching products can be jeopardized if the right CEO is not acquired. If the leadership/management is not at the standard expected of Apple, they could have a repeat of that $5.00 a share that they once had under poor leadership. A CEO needs to steer Apple in the right direction

Alternatives: 1)Seek out someone with a good track record or 2)hire from within - somebody who was under Steve Job's leadership and knew specifically how he thought - someone who has the strong attributes required to fill this postion


Missing Information: A possible replacement - it is not known specifically if there is someone appropriate for this position, either externally or internally. It would be interesting to know if Steve Jobs was well enough to even care or consider who could replace him after his passing.

The reputation and track record of possible CEO's - This information could be easily accessed through the internet, word of mouth, financial records, media

Assessment of Alternatives: 1)Just because someone has a good track record elsewhere, that doesnt mean that they will fill the position as CEO of Apple as Jobs' did, but at the same time, there is a high probability that he would work hard for the sake of his reputation and would be a success at Apple.

2) Someone within the company may have all the skills to be successful but lack the attributes of a CEO - maybe not have enough management experience, or may be too confident in himself and destroy the company. There is a high probability that if he truly emulated Steve Jobs in all aspects, he may be a big as a success as Steve Jobs was.


Selection of Preferred Alternative: hire from within - more than likely, this person may have worked closely with Steve Jobs and if needed, this person could always access outside help from professionals if needed to make him an effective leader


Assumptions: Assume that Steve Jobs had picked someone to follow him, someone that he may have been training.


Action/Implementation Plan: